Curse of Thieves: Another Major Vince Hamilton Investigation

by Patricki Slaney

  'I don't think that I am up for breakfast, but I would kill a cup of coffee if I can get one,' I replied.

  'The room where we are meeting Chris Thompson is just beside the Officers' Mess so we can grab one there.'

  When we went in to get our coffee, I saw Captain Chris Thompson sitting at a table. He gave me a warm welcome. The last time we had met was in Iraq when I had gone there to take my leave of the regiment before my de-mob.

  'Good morning Major, I was told that you were going to be part of this operation. How is civilian life treating you?' He said.

  'Can't complain; although it was very difficult to get used to civilian life at the start.' I went over and shook his hand. 'You know Captain Moffatt I presume?'

  'Yes we met earlier this week when we had a preliminary chat about this op.'

  'Good morning Captain,' Stuart Moffatt replied. 'Have you got all the details we need to develop our plan?'

  'Yes, I think that I have all the necessary facts.'

  A lady, dressed in uniform, stuck her head into the room. 'The Wing Commander is waiting for you in meeting room C, so you had better get a shift on as he is not in a good mood this morning.'

  'We are just getting a coffee, and we will be on our way,' Stuart replied.

  'I would recommend that you leave the coffees till later as he really is in a foul mood.'

  'We are on our way,' Captain Thompson replied. 'I didn't realise that the Wing Commander was coming to the meeting. We had better get going.'

  We all immediately left the Officer's mess and hurried to the meeting room, leaving our coffees behind.

  'About bloody time,' the Wing Commander said in a gruff voice as we entered the room. We all muttered an apology as we sat down.

  'Captain Moffatt will you please run the meeting. I can give you half-an-hour of my time and then I will have to leave, but you must keep going for whatever length of time it takes to develop a workable plan. When you are finished, give me a shout, and I will return and sign it off. As you are aware, I will have to report back to General Baird in London as he will give the final go-ahead.'

  'Thank you Sir. Major Hamilton would you like to fill us in on what you found in Green Sea Bay, in Turkey, when you were there last week with the Inspector?' Captain Moffatt took over the meeting.

  I described the area the best that I could, emphasising that we were up against ruthless individuals who would not hesitate to shoot to kill if they felt that they were under attack. I also described the fortress that had been created using the steep cliffs of the mountains and the derelict buildings along the beach.

  ‘Based on your military experience, do you recommend that we go in by sea or from the land side?’ Captain Thompson asked me. ‘I am aware that there are steep cliffs on the land side and anybody going in that way would have to be landed by helicopter and descend the cliffs from the top of the mountain?'.

  'I would think that it would be very difficult to go in by sea and remain undetected. They spotted the Inspector observing them and, as you know, they shot him. They will be on their guard. I take it that we want to get in and out on our recce operation without making them aware of our presence.'

  'If we give away our intentions then they will be waiting for us when we go in to take the place out and recover the stolen goods,’ the Wing Commander added. ‘It is imperative that we scout out the area without letting them know we are there,'

  'The mountain behind the complex is very steep and I have no idea how high it is. I also don't know whether they patrol the mountain or have alarms on the slopes.'

  'Is there a road into the site? Captain Thompson spoke again.

  'There is, but a police control point and two large Alsatian dogs are blocking it.'

  There was a pause while the various brains around the Table considered the situation.

  'Are you a strong swimmer Major Hamilton?' Captain Moffatt asked me.

  'Yes, I am quite a strong swimmer. In fact, since my injury, I am probably more mobile in the water than I am on land.'

  'Based on that fact, this is what I am suggesting,' Captain Moffatt continued. 'We send you in from the bay with another SAS man as support, I am sure that there is a place close by, where we can land you with all the gear that you need. You can assess the prospects of a sea landing. We will drop Captain Thompson and two men on the top of the mountain by helicopter, and they can assess the approach from the land.'

  'There is only one idea I would like you to consider in addition to your two-pronged recce,' the Wing Commander added. 'I think that you need to have a look at the road between Icmeler and the derelict buildings in Green Sea Bay. I don't want them to escape with the stolen goods along the road when you attack their hideout.'

  'Good idea Wing Commander; we will include that in our plan.'

  'I am going to leave you to it now.' The Wing Commander started to gather up his papers. 'You have the bare bones of a plan, so you now have to develop all the details. I don't want anything to go wrong, causing embarrassment to the Government. Screw up, and your careers will be over.' He took a hard look at Captain Moffatt and left the room.

  'Right guys,' Captain Moffatt said. 'Let's go and get those coffees we missed earlier. We can then return here and start working out the details for Operation Heist.'

  'I want to include my Sergeant in the discussions if that is OK. I will go and get him while you are having your coffee,' Captain Thompson said.

  'That's fine Captain; we will meet back here in fifteen minutes.'

  I was starting to get excited about what was about to take place. What had started out as a private investigation had now become a military style operation. There was still plenty that could go wrong, but with highly trained professionals working with me, I was feeling more confident as to the probable outcome.

  We had a short break for lunch at 1.00pm and by 3.30pm had created a detailed plan. Sergeant Jones was a great addition to our team as he had vast experience in covert operations. His attention to detail was meticulous and left nothing to chance. He would be the man doing the recce on the road that ran between Icmeler and the site, while I would explore the area from the sea. Captain Chris Thompson would lead the three men who would descend the mountain.

  The entire team would meet back at the base at 8.00pm. The two helicopters being used in the exercise would take off at 10.00pm. One would take the party going to the top of the mountain, and the other would drop off the team of four who would be going in from the sea; two swimmers and two more to check out the road.

  'If I don't have to be back here until 8.00pm can I please go back to the hotel and get a few hours' sleep?' I requested.

  'I will organize a meal for the officers at 7.30pm in the mess here on the base, so you need to be back for that. Sergeant, can you please make sure that the men get fed at the same time,' Captain Moffatt ordered. 'We will all meet in this room at 8.30pm for a final briefing.'

  'Are you coming to Marmaris with us Captain?' I asked.

  'Yes, I will travel in the lead helicopter and will remain with it until it is time to pick you up. Both helicopters will go to Milas, which is the nearest NATO base, to refuel and to substantiate our story that we are on a NATO exercise.'

  'Are you going to see the Wing Commander now to get the plan signed off?' I asked the Captain.

  'Yes, but you can use the driver. I will grab hold of another one if I need to return to the hotel.'

  When we went outside the car was waiting, and the driver took me back to the hotel. I was surprised that, despite the adrenaline that was starting to course through my veins; I got to sleep quite quickly. Two and a half hours later I was woken by my alarm, and I was downstairs in the reception area by 7.00pm, dressed in my fatigues. A few minutes later Captain Moffatt joined me, similarly dressed, and we set off to return to the base and the place where our adventure would start.

  'Did the Wing Commander sign off our plan?' I asked.

  'He had a few minor corrections, but he was in agre
ement on most aspects of it. We are still scheduled to take off at 10.00pm.'

  Chapter 32

  Having all eaten a substantial meal we met as scheduled for the final briefing.

  Captain Moffatt had written the details of the mission on a white board which extended across the wall at the front of the room. He addressed each of the points in some detail;

  1. Departure time 10.00pm.

  2. First Helicopter:

  Captain Moffatt

  Captain Thompson (Cliff descent)

  Corporal Patterson (Cliff descent)

  Private Andrews (Cliff descent)

  Private Ferguson (Cliff descent)

  3. Second Helicopter:

  Major Hamilton (Swimmer)

  Sergeant Jones (Road Recce)

  Corporal Cooper (Swimmer)

  Private Young (Road Recce)

  4. Corporal Patterson will remain on the top of the mountain and co-ordinate communication both locally and with Captain Moffatt in the helicopter.

  5. Second Helicopter will carry a small inflatable plus an outboard engine. It will land between Turunc Village and Amos Bay.

  6. Both Helicopters will take off and travel to Milas airport to refuel.

  7. Planned time for landing personnel, 2.00am.

  8. Pick up time 4.30am or earlier if required.

  9. Debriefing at completion of the mission, 9.00am in this room.

  10. Radio Silence at all times unless unavoidable.

  11. VITAL - NO CONTACT WITH ENEMY/MAFIA

  When he was finished going through the list Captain Moffatt asked if there were any questions.

  'You said that Sergeant Jones would drop us off close to Green Sea Bay on his way to Icmeler and the road recce. Will he pick us up on his return journey and take us to where the helicopter will pick us up,' I asked.

  'I will leave that decision to you. I would have thought that it would take them longer to explore the road than it would take for you to explore the shore and the derelict buildings.'

  'We will have to see how far away from Green Sea Bay the helicopter drops us off and if there are strong currents in the bay? I would suspect that there is a strong current which is caused by the water rushing in and out of the bay.' I added.

  'Sergeant Jones are you happy to leave that decision until you are able to assess the situation that faces you.' Captain Moffatt addressed the Sergeant.

  'Yes Sir, I don't have a problem with that.'

  'Are there any other questions?' Captain Moffatt cast his eyes around the group.

  'Sir, you want me to stay on the top of the mountain while the others go down the cliff face to the site,' Corporal Patterson asked.

  'Yes you must keep watch from the top to make sure that there are no surprises. Cover their backs when they go down the cliff. You also must get hold of me if anything goes wrong and you need us back earlier than planned. Do you understand?'

  'Yes Sir, I follow you.'

  'OK, I want you all now to go and draw your weapons from the armory. Major Hamilton and Corporal Cooper you need to get hold of wetsuits, flippers and other paraphernalia for the operation. Captain Thompson you need to get hold of the climbing gear you require.'

  'Yes Sir; I have it all sorted, I just need to pick it up.'

  OK, we will rendezvous at the hanger at 9.30pm. We can then load up and be ready to depart at twenty-two hundred hours sharp.'

  We all left to make our final preparations for the task ahead.

  At the armory, I equipped myself with a Glock plus silencer as I was familiar with that particular gun. I was also issued with a waterproof bag to carry it in while I was swimming. I would also carry the ammunition in the pouch to protect it from the water. A pair of Cobra night vision glasses completed my equipment.

  Corporal Cooper brought me to another store where we were able to select all the gear we would need for our swim.

  Laden down with all our equipment we then went to the hanger where we were going to leave from.

  'I assume that you are a strong swimmer Corporal?' I said. We had dumped our gear on the ground and were standing by the open door while he smoked a cigarette.

  'Yes Sir, I have represented the regiment at the inter-services championships, and I am part of a group selected to do special training for the Olympics.'

  'What is your preferred distance or are you an all-rounder.'

  'I am not a sprinter, but do all the endurance events, such as the fifteen hundred meters.'

  'So what we are doing tonight shouldn't be any problem to you.'

  'No, and I will have flippers on tonight so it will be child's play.'

  'You will probably leave me far behind as I haven't done any swimming for quite some time,' I commented, feeling a bit disheartened. I didn't want to be a burden to him.

  'You will be fine sir. I won't be able to move too quickly as we don't want to make a noise.'

  'From what I can remember of the area we shouldn't have to swim more than a kilometre, I added. 'If they drop us off from the inflatable then, it will be even less.'

  'The guys going down the side of the mountain are going to have a lot harder job than we have. At least we know what we are facing before we go in,' the Corporal said.

  'I am sure that we will be fine. I look forward to working with you tonight and let's hope nothing goes wrong.'

  Over the next half-an-hour, the rest of the group gradually joined us until the entire team was waiting in the hanger.

  'Right guys let's set our watches. The time is now 21.32 and twenty seconds.' Captain Moffatt announced.

  We all set our watches to the exact time.

  'Has everybody got everything that they require for tonight's operation?'

  Everybody muttered 'Yes Sir.'

  At that moment, the Wing Commander joined us in the hanger.

  'Do you want to say a few words Sir?' Captain Moffatt looked at his superior officer.

  'I just came to wish you good luck on tonight's operation. The only thing that I want to emphasise is that you must make sure that you don't let the enemy know that you are there. Your sole purpose is to get as much information as you can. If the only way that you can find out what is going on is by getting very close, and that entails the possibility of being detected, then opt on the side of safety. It is essential that when we attack in a few days' time that we have the element of surprise. Are you all clear about that?'

  We all nodded, very aware of what the Wing Commander was saying.

  'I have a nasty suspicion that there may be trip wires and other alarms on our route. I just hope that we don't set one of them off,' Captain Thompson said.

  'You may well be right Captain, but you will just have to be extra careful to avoid setting one off,' the Wing Commander added.

  'Time to get loaded up,' Captain Moffatt issued the instruction. 'Let's go.'

  We all got our equipment and went out to the specific Westland Commando helicopter allocated to us.

  Ten minutes later the engines started; the helicopters moved out onto the runway, and we took off.

  I soon realised that it was going to be four hours of pure hell. The noise of the engines was deafening, and the vibration was quite intense. There was also a strong smell of aviation fuel which wasn't very pleasant. There was no chance of talking. I put some ear plugs in and tried to sleep without much success.

  I occupied my mind in going over the task ahead. At least I had been there before so I could visualise the route that I would be taking. Corporal Cooper and I also had the easiest of the three tasks. I just hoped that we didn't screw-up. The others had a much tougher task as they didn't know the area they were exploring.

  'Thirty minutes to landing,' the pilot announced. 'Will you please get ready to disembark?'

  It was time to put on my wetsuit.

  While the corporal and I assisted each other into our wet suits, the others got the dingy and the outboard engine ready.

  By the time that we touched down we were prepared for t
he job ahead.

  When I exited the helicopter, I found that the pilot had found a small inlet that appeared, at first glance, to be totally isolated. In fact, from what I could see, there was no habitation within the immediate area.

  I put on my night vision goggles just to check that we hadn't any unwelcome local inhabitants wandering around. We were in luck and were on our own.

  The others got the inflatable out of the helicopter together with its engine, and the helicopter took off.

  Suddenly there was deathly silence.

  Corporal Cooper and I stood watch while the other two pumped up the inflatable, launched it and then mounted the engine. Connecting the fuel line, they fired up the outboard motor, and we were ready to go.

  It was a bit crowded in the small inflatable, but we just about fitted.

  With my night vision goggles on, I could follow the coast. I then saw the dark shape of the derelict buildings and indicated to Sergeant Jones, who was on the helm that he should stop and let us off.

  I fastened the pouch, containing the gun, ammunition, and my night vision glasses, across my back. Put on my flippers and went over the side into the water.

  Corporal Cooper followed, and we headed for the beach, just using our flippers to avoid making too much noise.

  The inflatable took off, heading at right angles to Green Sea Bay. They had decided to go through the main channel on the other side of the island that faced the derelict buildings. They would then approach Icmeler from the direction of Marmaris. Soon afterwards the dinghy was out of sight, and we were on our own. We had told them not to pick us up on their return journey as we would be able to swim back to where the helicopter was due to pick us up.

  I was expecting to have to fight against the current, but there was very little movement. Since we were so far away from the Atlantic Ocean, and were in a landlocked sea, the tides turned out to be insignificant.

  We headed east towards the sea end of the derelict development where we reckoned that we had less chance of being discovered.

  We found an area where we could get ashore. Next we had to get rid of our flippers, hiding them in a place where they wouldn't be found and where we could quickly retrieve them.